Irvine calls for Jaguar improvements

'We've got to improve the car, we've got to improve the gear change, we've got to improve the engine,' he said. 'There's so many area's where what we have we're not optimising because we just don't get any testing.

'It's just impossible. I believe we have a lot more to sort out than other teams. We haven't had any proper testing this year because of weather or mechanical problems.'

Irvine and technical director Gary Anderson had contrasting explanations for the Irishman's qualifying performance, his worst so far in 2000.

'We had three laps left and we put three laps of fuel in,' Irvine explained. 'I was thinking just before thr un that the tyres were only loooking good for one lap and maybe we should take the fuel out, but then if you mess up that lap it's a disaster. The safe way cost me today.'

'The plan was to put enough fuel in for three laps: quick, slow, quick, because we knew there was going to be a lot of traffic,' Anderson said. 'Unfortunately he was a little slow on his out lap and slow again on his second lap. I think he must have stopped at Abbey for a cup of coffee...'

Irvine, who held pole position briefly as the track dried during the session, crossed the line five seconds too late to get a final qualifying run in.